According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 52% of children aged 6-8 years have suffered at least one cavity. 23% of children between the ages of 2-5 have had cavities. Tooth decay is more common than childhood asthma, despite being almost 100% preventable. If your child’s pediatric dentist finds decay, it must be treated, even if it’s a baby tooth. Although the tooth will fall out in a couple of years, it can have lasting consequences for their oral health and development if it’s not treated. Here’s how a filling can preserve their tooth and what you can do to keep cavities at bay.
Risks of Untreated Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is easy to treat with a dental filling when caught early. With no treatment, decay can reach the inner layers of the tooth, which can result in a painful infection. A filling won’t be enough to repair their tooth if this occurs. Instead, they will require a root canal. If treatment is delayed even longer, their tooth can die and will need to be extracted. The infection may also enter their bloodstream, which can have potentially life-threatening complications.
Every baby tooth is important for your child’s development and overall wellness. Losing a primary tooth too soon can affect their oral functions and speech development. Baby teeth also act as placeholders for their permanent set. If a tooth is lost before it’s ready to fall out naturally, it can affect the alignment of their adult teeth.
Treating Childhood Tooth Decay
A cavity can be treated with a tooth-colored filling. The composite resin is metal-free, so there’s no risk of mercury exposure. It’s biocompatible and will blend in with their tooth. The procedure is minimally invasive and doesn’t involve any downtime.
Preventing Childhood Tooth Decay
Although cavities are common, you can take several steps to lessen your little one’s risk of decay, like:
- Promote Good Oral Hygiene: As soon as your child’s first tooth erupts, introduce brushing their teeth twice daily. As the spaces between their teeth close around the age of 6, it’s time to floss their teeth daily.
- Limit Sugars and Starches: Sugars and starches feed cavity-causing bacteria that can erode their enamel.
- Harness the Power of Fluoride: Fluoride is a natural solution to strengthen enamel to make it more resistant to decay.
- Schedule a Cleaning and Checkup: Your child should begin seeing their dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup.
Tooth decay doesn’t have to leave a permanent mark on your child’s dental health. A filling is a quick fix to help them achieve their best smile.
About Dr. Sandra Trinh
Dr. Trinh earned her dental degree at New York University and continued her training in pediatric dentistry at the Montefiore Medical Center. She is a member of the American Dental Association and is a board-certified Diplomate of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Request an appointment through her website or call (630) 528-1394.